It’s been a few years since Emmy quit her job and moved to the North Shore. Since then, her life has drastically changed. Now she is a successful business owner and in love. In love! And she’s finally getting married!

And me, I am excited to share this cover reveal with you today!

Paperback copies of Champion Chocolatier: For Better or Worse will be released on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, but you can pre-order your Kindle copy here. Until then, you can read this sneak peek chapter. I have a bunch of really great launch events planned, but with the current state of affairs in our less than healthy world, I've decided to wait to share them until a later date. But stay tuned!

For now, I proudly present, Champion Chocolatier: For Better or Worse.

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Champion Chocolaiter: For Better or Worse

“A dead business partner is a bad business partner,” Rachel said. “I know you are trying to stay slim for the wedding, but three meals a day is a non-negotiable. Twenty minutes missy. You’re on time out.”

“Thank you,” Emmy called towards the closing door, her mouth already full of bread and meat and cheese. As she took a swig of her soda, she pulled out the wedding magazine that was delivered three days ago, but she’d been too busy to read.

Leaning with her elbows on the wooden desktop, she let her eyes pour over the details on each page. Backless dresses made of eyelet lace, three-tiered wedding cakes, gorgeous sprays and bouquets of flowers, bridesmaids with their heads tipped back in laughter and the silhouette of a couple kissing as the sun set on a vast vineyard. There were so many things to consider, and so many choices and options for each item.

Emmy knew that for some the innumerable options brought stress and arguments, but no matter how Emmy looked at it, all she saw was fun. She and Eddie were getting married. Married! The only person happier about this fact than Emmy, was her mother.

Ever since Emmy and Eddie had returned from North Carolina, it was all the mother-daughter duo could talk about. The men for the most part, stayed out of it. Emmy’s father had handed the newly engaged couple a check, told them to spend it or save it as they liked and then walked himself out of every wedding conversation since. Eddie had pretty much done the same. He had a few opinions here and there, but usually he just said,

“Emmy, if you’re happy, I’m happy. Go nuts.”

It wasn’t until she collapsed onto the couch at 8 PM after a late dinner with Eddie that she dragged out her laptop and fell face first back into the wedding world. The very first item on the wedding planning list was a venue. The list of options was long, but there was really only one choice in Emmy’s mind. Glensheen. She pulled up the website for the estate and navigated to the events page. Instantly her screen filled with couples surrounded by the golden embers of sparklers, bubbling fountains and flowers in bloom. As she scrolled she saw a bride and groom dancing on a balcony and guests enjoying s’mores by a lakeside bonfire. Emmy couldn’t imagine anything more perfect.

When she clicked back to her search tab, a sidebar advertisement caught her attention. A competition. For couples. Who were getting married. Instantly her adrenaline spiked, her veins coursing with good feeling vibes.

She clicked on the advertisement and a shower of baby blue glitter confetti filled her screen. As the pieces fluttered to the bottom, their absence revealed cursive letters that seemed to sing as Emmy read them in her mind.

Wedding Belles and Golden Drop Honey present, the Golden Honeymoon Giveaway! One lucky couple will be whisked away to an all-expenses paid, exclusive destination for a full week. What a better way to start your wedding bliss, than with a trip like this! Enter today!

“Emmy, we don’t need this,” Eddie said when she showed him the contest. “We can afford a honeymoon. Especially since we got that generous gift of money from your parents.”

“I know, but I think it will be something fun to do together.”

An automated clock on the screen ticked down the hours, minutes and seconds to the entry deadline. The speed of the seconds passing by elevated Emmy’s anxiety and desire at the same time. Less than twenty-three hours remained to enter. She needed to work fast. Emmy scooted closer to Eddie on the couch. “We’re always running in different directions. Weren’t we just saying at pre-marriage counseling that we needed a common goal? The contest will force us to work together. I think it could be good for us.”

Eddie put down the TV remote and looked at her. “Don’t you think you are pressing your luck? You’ve already won the store and been on national TV.”

“Just one more, and then I’ll be done.” Emmy batted her eyelashes and pouted her lips. “C’mon. It’ll be fun.” Eddie took Emmy’s laptop from her outstretched hands and scanned the screen.

“It doesn’t even say where the honeymoon is located. What if it’s somewhere we don’t even want to go?”

“I’d go anywhere with you,” Emmy said adopting a dramatic soap opera voice.

“I’m serious,” Eddie said.

Emmy took her laptop back and scanned the rows of fine print. Then she started talking again. “This says that the location is revealed after the first round of competition. How about this. If we make it that far, and if we both don’t love the location, we’ll drop out.”

“For real?” Eddie asked, his eyebrows raised.

“I promise.” Emmy put the computer down and held out her hand to shake on it.

Eddie took her hand in his and then pulled her into a wrestling maneuver onto his lap and began tickling her mercilessly.

“Eddie, I said I promise!”

Eddie stopped his torturing and leaned over the top of Emmy, his nose touching hers. “Good,” he said and then kissed her. “A promise sealed with a kiss. That’s way better than a handshake.”

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Today’s post post was made beautiful by CANVA and is categorized in my blog archive under Behind the Scenes of My Stories. Check out the entire collection here.